Rail-joint.



' No. 683,698. Patented Out. l, 1901.

C. B. MEAD.

RAIL JOINT.

{Application filed July 17. 1901.)

(No Model.)

T; uanms PETERS 0a.. PNOYO-LITMQ, WASNXNGYONID. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrica.

CHARLES B. MEAD, OF EAST PALESTINE, OHIO.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 683,698, dated October1, 1901.

Application filed July 17, 1901. Serial No. 68,641. (No model.)

To (0% whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. MEAD, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at East Palestine, in the county of Golumbiana andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRail- Joints, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inrail-joints, and more particularly to that class wherein the use of nutsand bolts is entirely dispensed with.

The invention has for its object the provision of a rail-joint havingintegral fishplates and chair formed in two sections, these sectionsbeing hinged together, and are spring-pressed, so as to securely clampthe ends of the rail-sections firmly together.

Another object of the invention is to constru ct a rail-joint of theabove-described class that will allow for expansion and contraction ofthe rails as the atmospheric changes take place.

A still f nrther object of my invention is to construct a rail-joint ofthis character that will be extremely simple in construction, strong,durable, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and highly efficientin its use.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of thenovel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fullydescribed, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forminga part of this specificatiomand whereinlike numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout bothviews, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of two sections of railshaving my improved rail-joint applied thereto in position. Fig. 2 is anend elevation thereof.

In the drawings the reference-numeral 1 indicates the rails.

2 represents the cross-ties, and 3 3 represent the fish-plates,carryingthe base portions 4 4, extending under the base of the rail.

These sections are securely hinged together by means of a hinge 5,operating upon the rod 6.

The reference-numeral 7 represents a spiral spring arranged in thecut-away portion 8 of the hinge and encircles the rod 6. The

ends of the spring 7, being indicated at 9, bear against each side ofthe hinge, so as to normally close the hinged sections.

The reference-numeral 10 indicates openings formed in the inner face ofthe fish-plate in order that the same may be easily opened to allow therail to be inserted.

The reference-numerals 11 represent screws fastening the hinge to theunder face of the base 4.

The reference-numerals 12 represent spikes which serve as fasteningmeans for the railjoint to the cross-ties. These spikes are preferablysecured in recesses formed in the side face of the rail-joint, as shownin the drawings.

The many advantages obtained by the use of my improved device will bereadily apparent from the foregoing description, taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing'from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a rail-joint, the combination of two sections forming fish-platesand chair, hinges secured to the lower faces of said sections, and aspring for normally pressing said fishplates together, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a rail-joint, the combination of two hinged sections formingfish-plates and chair, and a spring to normally press said fish-platestogether, substantially as described.

3. In a rail-joint, the combination of two hinged sections formingfish-plates and chair,

a spring to normally press said fish-plates together, and means wherebysaid rail-joint is secured to the cross-ties, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a raiLjOint, the combination of two sections forming fish-platesand chair, a hinge secured to said sections, a rod for securing spikesfor securing said sections to the crosssaid hinge, and a springencircling said rod, ties, substantially as described. 10 Isubstantially as described. I In testimony whereof I affix my signature5. In a rail-joint, the combination of two in the presence of twoWitnesses.

5 sections comprising fish-plates and chair, :1 CHARLES B. MEAD.

hinge secured to the lower faces of said sec- Witnesses: tions, a springcarried by the hinge for nor- JOHN NOLAND,

maliy pressing said fish-plates together, and E. E. POTTER.

